TCU runs away from Texas, 31-9

A 70-yard run from true freshman Darius Anderson was the dagger TCU needed to end Charlie Strong’s career and become bowl eligible.

It was TCU’s fourth rushing touchdown of the day. TCU gained 475 yards on offense en route to thumping Texas 31-9, with 297 coming on the ground. Anderson led TCU rushers with 103 yards and a touchdown on three carries.

TCU led 7-6 at the half, and everyone was curious about how stagnant both offenses had been. TCU went on a 13-play, 79-yard drive to open the third quarter that resulted in a field goal to put TCU up 10-6. A Texas field goal would make it 10-9, and then TCU would run away with it.

A 41-yard rushing touchdown from Kenny Hill put TCU up 17-9. It was a fantastic run, and his second rushing TD of the day, coming right after Bruce Feldman reported that he had tweaked his right hamstring.

Unfortunately, Hill would hurt that hamstring even more two drives later, and TCU would turn to Foster Sawyer. Even more unfortunately for TCU, Kyle Hicks injured his ribs in the third quarter, and had to go back to the locker room for evaluation.

Fortunately for TCU, they have these guys named Trevorris Johnson and Darius Anderson on their team. Johnson and Anderson combined for 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the final quarter and a half to put the game away.

Sawyer, to his credit, hit a wide open Daniel Walsh on a fade to put TCU first and goal from Texas’ five. TJ would run it in on the next play.

Texas’ D’Onta Foreman did his thing in the loss, rushing for 165 yards on 31 carries. Oddly, though, Texas didn’t go to him often in the second half, even when the game was still in reach, as he only had eight carries after halftime.

Freshman QB Shane Buechele was a paltry 16-37 for 218 yards and one INT, thrown on the final play of the game.

Ultimately, Texas failed to find the endzone.

TCU’s defense was absolutely stellar in this game, giving up just nine points, despite Texas finding themselves in the red zone four times. Ty Summers and Travin Howard had 14 and 11 tackles, respectively, while the corners played lights out, and the defensive line totaled four sacks.

It’s likely Charlie Strong’s last game as the head coach of Texas, and he’ll finish with an 0-3 record against the Horned Frogs.

Texas will miss out on a bowl game, as this was their final game of the season and they now sit at 5-7. TCU will look to get to 7-5 when they play Kansas State on December 3rd.